Royal Red Butterfly Bush

Royal Red Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii 'Royal Red')

Royal Red Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii 'Royal Red') is a commanding cultivar known for its rich, magenta-red flower spikes and vigorous growth. Despite the name, the blooms lean more toward deep wine-red or reddish-purple, offering a dramatic splash of color from midsummer through fall. With its strong upright form and continuous flowering, this variety is an excellent choice for adding vertical interest, fragrance, and pollinator support to sunny landscapes.

Distinctive Features

This butterfly bush grows 6 to 8 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide, forming a robust, upright shrub with arching stems that support dense, conical flower panicles up to 12 inches long. The blossoms have a sweet fragrance and a saturated color that draws attention from a distance. Royal Red is especially popular for its ability to attract butterflies and hummingbirds throughout the blooming season, making it a staple in pollinator-friendly gardens.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Requires full sun for best bloom production and overall health.
• Soil: Performs well in well-drained soils; tolerates dry, sandy, or average garden soil.
• Water: Moderate; water regularly during dry periods but avoid overwatering.
• Humidity: Adaptable to a range of climates; benefits from good airflow in humid areas.
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 5�9; hardy and dependable in a broad range of growing zones.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point Plantings: Deep red-purple blooms create striking contrast in mixed borders.
• Pollinator Gardens: A favorite among butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds.
• Back-of-Border Plantings: Tall structure and colorful flowers enhance layered designs.
• Cottage and Wildlife Gardens: Blends beautifully with perennials and ornamental grasses.
• Cut Flower Gardens: Large, fragrant panicles are excellent for bold summer arrangements.

Low Maintenance Care

Royal Red Butterfly Bush is easy to grow and thrives in sunny, well-drained locations with minimal intervention. It benefits from yearly pruning and performs best when deadheaded regularly to encourage reblooming.

• Watering: Water deeply but infrequently once established; drought tolerant overall.
• Pruning: Cut back to 12�18 inches in early spring to promote vigorous new growth.
• Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring to support robust blooming.
• Pest and Disease Resistance: Generally resistant to most pests and common diseases.
• Winter Care: Mulch base in colder zones to protect roots from freeze-thaw cycles.

Why Choose Royal Red Butterfly Bush?

Royal Red Butterfly Bush (Buddleia davidii 'Royal Red') delivers powerful color, fragrance, and pollinator value in a reliable, upright form. It�s a standout performer for gardeners seeking bold summer blooms and wildlife-friendly beauty.

• Rich Red-Purple Blooms: Intensely colored flowers provide visual drama and long-lasting color.
• Fragrant and Vigorous: Sweetly scented blooms and fast growth for quick garden impact.
• High Pollinator Value: Draws butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds in abundance.
• Low Maintenance: Thrives with basic care and annual pruning.
• Versatile and Hardy: Well-suited to borders, pollinator gardens, and larger landscapes.

For rich, saturated color and a constant flutter of pollinators, Royal Red Butterfly Bush brings a bold presence and easygoing charm to the summer garden.